User guidance method, content advertizing method, user guidance system, object control system, moving object, storage medium and program transmission apparatus

ABSTRACT

A user guidance system comprises: a moving object manager for managing the location of a moving object on a network; a radar information generator for generating information concerning the location of the moving object, and for providing the information to a user who is accessing the network; and a zero distance performer for, when the moving object is found by a predetermined user, performing a predetermined process associated with the discovery of the moving object, wherein the moving object manager arranges the moving object at a desired location in order to guide the user to desired contents on the network.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for guiding a user to adesired network site or to its content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] At present, a widely spread out network environment, such as theInternet, provides access to an enormous number of sites at which agreat variety of reference materials are available. Therefore, it isvitally necessary that provisions be implemented for assisting andguiding users to specific sites, or site groupings, whereat informationthe users seek is available and can be accessed.

[0003] Conventionally, banner advertisements and search siteregistrations are employed as means for guiding users to specific sites.A banner advertisement is one that is linked to a predeterminedcommercial location. Thus, when such an advertisement is presented at apopular and often accessed site (a media site), one frequented by manyusers, and a user who has an innate or acquired interest in therepresented subject material clicks on the advertisement, that user isconnected to the site that is linked to the banner advertisement.

[0004] A search site is a site that, in accordance with a search requestissued by a user, initiates a search of a network for informationmatching a search condition, thereby providing a service for the user.Thus, when a predetermined address is registered with a search site, anda user of the search site who is interested in the materials availableat the predetermined address issues a search request, the site at thepredetermined address is presented to the user as the search results,and accordingly, the user is guided to that site.

[0005] However, a conventional user guidance means can collect onlythose users who have knowledge of, or an interest in, the subjectmaterials available at the address to which users are guided. That is,generally a user who is not interested in the material available at asite does not move to that site, even when he or she reads a banneradvertisement. Further, such a user does not normally issue a request tosearch such a site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to providemeans for guiding a user to specific site groups, regardless of whetheror not the user has an interest in the materials available thereat.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a movingobject for traveling within a specific site group in order to guide auser to that site group.

[0008] To achieve these objects, according to the present invention, auser guidance method characterized by the following configuration isprovided. The user guidance method comprises the steps of: permitting anobject, which is so defined that it can be obtained by a user, to appearat a specific location of a specific site; and moving the object,whereby a user who desires to obtain the object is guided topredetermined content available at the specific site.

[0009] More specifically, the step of moving the object includes thesteps of: waiting, after the object has appeared at the specificlocation, until the object is obtained by users; and permitting theobject, after the object has been obtained by any of the users, toappear at a different location at the specific site.

[0010] The user guidance method further comprises the step of: providinginformation, after the object has appeared, concerning the location ofthe object for the user who desires to obtain the object.

[0011] At the step of moving the object, the object is moved along apredetermined route, and the user who desires to obtain the object isguided to the predetermined content in accordance with a specific orderbased on the route.

[0012] When the user guidance method is expanded to a network, at thestep of permitting the object to appear, the object appears at specificlocations at multiple connected sites across the network, and at thestep of moving the object, the object is moved across the network.

[0013] At the step of moving the object, the object is moved along apredetermined route across the multiple sites on the network, and theuser who desires to obtain the object is guided to predetermined contentavailable in a specific sequential order based on the route.

[0014] Further, according to the present invention, a contentadvertisement method characterized by the following configuration can beprovided. The content advertisement method comprises the steps of:permitting an object, defined so that it can be obtained by a user, toappear on a network in contents multiple users desire to browse; andmoving the object, when a predetermined user browses the contents, tocontents multiple users desire to browse, whereby the user, who desiresto obtain the object, is guided to and enabled to browse the contents.

[0015] At the step of moving the object, movement of the object iseffected along a route that includes the contents multiple users desireto browse.

[0016] This configuration is preferable because users can browse thecontents of an advertisement in a predetermined order.

[0017] In addition, according to the present invention, a user guidancesystem characterized by the following configuration can be provided. Theuser guidance system comprises: an object manager for managing thelocation of an object on a network; a position information generator forgenerating information concerning the location of the object, and forproviding the information to a user who is accessing the network; and aprocessor for, when the object is selected by a predetermined user,performing a predetermined process associated with the object selection,wherein the object manager arranges the object at a desired location inorder to guide the user to desired contents on the network. This systemcan be carried out simply by a predetermined server that functions asthe object manager, the position information generator and theprocessor. Therefore, this configuration is superior, because when sucha server is provided on a network, the object can be used to guide auser.

[0018] When the object is selected, the processor transmits anotification to that effect to the object manager, and upon the receiptof the notification, the object manager deletes the object selected bythe user, and positions another object at a different location on thenetwork.

[0019] Furthermore, when the object is selected by a specific user, theprocessor transmits, together with information (a name and IDinformation) concerning the specific user, a notification to that effectto the object manager. Upon the receipt of the notification, the objectmanager manages the information concerning the specific user, who isregarded as the person who has obtained the object. Later, if the objectis selected by multiple users, among them only the specific user isregarded as the person who has obtained the object. An arbitrary rulecan be employed to determine, as the person who has obtained an object,which of the users has selected the object. For example, a userindicated in the first notification that is transmitted by the processorto the object manager can be regarded as the person who has obtained theobject.

[0020] Moreover, according to the present invention, an object controlsystem having the following configuration can be provided. The objectcontrol system comprises: web servers, for storing web pages; and a mainserver, for communicating with a predetermined web server, wherein themain server permits a specific object to appear in a specific web pageor delete from a specific web page stored in the specific web server.

[0021] The object can be selected when the object is present in a webpage that a user is currently browsing. When the object is selected bythe user, the main server deletes the object from the web page andpermits the object to appear in another web page.

[0022] Further, the main server provides, for the user who accesses thespecific web server, information concerning the location of the objectthat is appearing.

[0023] The information concerning the location of the object, which isprovided for the user, indicates the ease with which the object can bereached from the web page browsed by the user. This information can bedefined based on various relations, such as the hierarchical structure(can be extracted from the URT structure) of the locations whereat thefiles of web pages are stored, that are sorted into categories used by asearch engine, or a connection consisting of related hyperlinks.

[0024] In addition, according to the present invention, an objectcontrol system characterized by the following configuration is provided.The object control system comprises: an object to be embedded in a webpage stored at a web site on a network; and object management means formanaging the location of the object on the network, wherein the objectmanagement means changes the location of the object on the network inorder to move the object across the network. This system can beimplemented merely by using a predetermined server that provides theobject and functions as the object management means.

[0025] One control mode for the object management means correlates thelocation of the object with a web page browsed by a predetermined user,and changes the location of the object web pages are browsed by theuser.

[0026] Further, an object control system comprises: link setting means,for storing an object in a predetermined server, instead of moving theobject across a network in the above described manner, and for setting alink in a web page stored at a web site on the network in order to moveto the object; and object position management means, for determining aweb page for setting a link thereto, wherein, under the control of theobject position management means, the link setting means changes atarget web page for setting a link thereto.

[0027] Also in this case, the object position management means defines aweb page browsed by a predetermined user as the target web page to whichthe link with the object is to be set, and changes the target web pageas the predetermined user browses the web pages. And the link settingmeans, under the control of the object position management means,changes the link with the object.

[0028] According to the present invention, for a moving object to beembedded in a web page stored at a web site on a network, specificmanagement means manages the location of the object on the network, andmoves the object from a predetermined web page to another web page.

[0029] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a storage mediumis provided on which input means of a computer stores a program in aninput-enabled form, the program permitting the computer to perform: aprocess for permitting a specific object to appear on a specific webpage stored in a specific web server; a process for, when a user browsesthe specific web page and selects the specific object, moving the objectto another web page.

[0030] Also, according to the present invention, a program transmissionapparatus can be provided that comprises: storage means for storing theabove described program; and transmission means for reading the programfrom the storage means and for transmitting the program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031]FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a network configuration forcarrying out a user guidance system according to the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the invention.

[0033]FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a userguidance system according to a first embodiment.

[0034]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the general processingperformed by the user guidance system in FIG. 3.

[0035]FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the connection relationshipbetween a page display unit and a site server according to theembodiment.

[0036]FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed by acurrent URL manager according to the embodiment.

[0037]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed by aradar information generator according to the embodiment.

[0038]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed by azero distance performer according to the embodiment.

[0039]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed by amoving object manager according to the embodiment.

[0040]FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the processingperformed by the moving object manager according to the embodiment whenfour requests are issued to obtain two moving objects at the same time.

[0041]FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the distance between URLs thatare defined by using the URL structure according to the embodiment.

[0042]FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the distance between URLs thatare defined according to the embodiment by the conceptual hierarchicalstructure that represents web sites that have been sorted by category.

[0043]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the distance between URLs thatare defined by using hyperlinks for web pages at a predetermined website according to the embodiment.

[0044]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example for a radar according tothe embodiment.

[0045]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the list of modes for the networksystem used for the embodiment.

[0046]FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example network configuration forcarrying out a mode of the network system in FIG. 15.

[0047]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example network configurationfor carrying out a mode of the network system in FIG. 15.

[0048]FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an additional example networkconfiguration for carrying out a mode of the network system in FIG. 15.

[0049]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a further example networkconfiguration for carrying out a mode of the network system in FIG. 15.

[0050]FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a userguidance system according to a second embodiment.

[0051]FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the general processingperformed by the user guidance system in FIG. 20.

[0052]FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bya user side moving object manager according to the embodiment.

[0053]FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bya general moving object manager according to the embodiment.

[0054]FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the list of modes for the networksystem used for the embodiment.

[0055]FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a userguidance system according to a third embodiment.

[0056]FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the general processingperformed by the user guidance system in FIG. 25.

[0057]FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bya user side moving object manager according to the embodiment.

[0058]FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bya general moving object manager according to the embodiment.

[0059]FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a list of modes for the networksystem used for the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0060] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed in detail while referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] First, an overview of the present invention will be given.According to the present invention, an object (hereinafter referred toas a moving object) is set that travels within a specific site group,and when a user searches for the moving object, the user is guided toand visits many sites in the site group, regardless of whether the userhas an interest in the contents of each site that is visited. And byoffering a special favor to the user who finds the moving object,supplies the motivation for a search by users for the moving object.

[0062] In the search for the moving object, a tool is employed, a radar,which is used for obtaining information concerning the location (aspecific web page at a specific site) of the moving object. But insteadof directly providing a user with the name of the location of the movingobject, the radar provides for the user information (clues) concerningthe location of the moving object, employing for the purpose the webpage whereat the moving object is located and calculating the distancebetween that web page and the location that the user is currentlybrowsing. Thus, the user is encouraged to travel to a number of siteswhereat the moving object may possibly be present.

[0063]FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a network configuration forwhich a user guidance system according to the present invention isemployed, and FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of theinvention based on the embodiments.

[0064] In FIG. 1, a main server 110 exercises overall control of thesystem. A moving object management database (DB) 111 is used to store,under the control of the main server 110, the location of the movingobject and information as to whether a predetermined user has locatedthe moving object. Site servers 120 manage web sites that store variousweb pages, and as is shown in FIG. 1, the main server 110, the siteservers 120 and user terminals 130 are interconnected by a web basenetwork, such as the Internet.

[0065] As is shown in FIG. 2, according to the present invention, acontract site group 210 is formed of web sites managed by site servers120 that have agreed to enter into a contract for the use of the movingobject. Then, during operation, a moving object 220, appears at a website in the contract site group 210, which is managed by the main server110. Thereafter, the user employs a radar 230 mounted at the userterminal 130 to search for the moving object 220. When a specific userfinds the moving object 220, information concerning that user is storedin the moving object management database 111, and a special reward,established in advance, is awarded that user. Each time a moving object220 is located, it is moved to another web site in the contract sitegroup 210.

[0066] Next, an explanation will be given for the embodiments whereinthe functional blocks for the user guidance system of this invention areprovided. While roughly three embodiments will be explained, pleasenote, however, that these embodiments can be further modified, in avariety of ways depending on where the functional blocks are set, eitherin a main server 110, a site server 120 or a user terminal 130.

[0067] First Embodiment

[0068]FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a userguidance system in accordance with a first embodiment. In FIG. 3, amoving object manager 10 manages information, such as the location andthe search status of the moving object 220. A radar informationgenerator 20 generates relevant information (hereinafter referred to asradar information), concerning the moving object 220, that it thensubmits to the user. Then, when the user reaches the web page whereatthe moving object 220 is located, i.e., when the user has moved to andbegun browsing the pertinent web page, a zero distance performer 30displays the moving object 220 on the web page, and performs anappropriate process when the user finds it. A radar display unit 40 thendisplays, on the user terminal 130, the screen for a radar 230 thatincludes radar information generated by the radar information generator20. A current URL manager 50 manages the URL of the web page that theuser is browsing, and a page display unit 60 displays the web page onthe users terminal 130.

[0069] In this configuration, the moving object manager 10 is providedfor the main server 110, and the radar display unit 40, the current URLmanager 50 and the page display unit 60 are provided for the userterminal 130. Actually, the page display unit 60 is implemented by a webbrowser, and plug-in means, used by the radar display unit 40 and thecurrent URL manager 50, are mounted as the functions of the web browserby using the radar information generator 20, and the zero distanceperformer 30 can be provided for either the main server 110, the siteserver 120 or the user terminal 130. In the following explanation, thelocations of the radar information generator 20 and the zero distanceperformer 30 are not specified, and later, when modes for a networksystem for carrying out this embodiment are shown, a supplementaryexplanation for each mode will be given.

[0070]FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the overall processingperformed by the user guidance system in FIG. 3.

[0071] In FIG. 4, first, the user displays a web page on the pagedisplay unit 60 of the user terminal 130 (step 401). This web pagebelongs to one of the web sites included in the contract site group 210in FIG. 2. When the web page is displayed on the page display unit 60,the page display unit 60 transmits to the current URL manager 50 the URLof the web page that is displayed. This process is performed each timethe web page displayed on the page display unit 60 is updated.

[0072] The page display unit 60 is connected, via the zero distanceperformer 30, to the site server 120 in the contract site group 210.

[0073]FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the connection of the pagedisplay unit 60 and the site server 120.

[0074] In FIG. 5, a page request event, which is issued by the pagedisplay unit 60, is transmitted via the zero distance performer 30 tothe site server 120, and the requested web page is returned by the siteserver 120, via the zero distance performer 30, to the page display unit60. When the moving object 220 is present at the web page displayed onthe page display unit 60, i.e., the web page browsed by the user, themoving object 220 is added to the web page returned by the site server120 when it is relayed by the zero distance performer 30. When themoving object 220 is not present at the web page displayed on the pagedisplay unit 60, the pertinent web page is passed through the zerodistance performer 30, without any process being performed therefor.

[0075] When the moving object 220 is present at the web page displayedon the page display unit 60, and when the user finds the moving object220 and clicks on it, this event is accepted by the zero distanceperformer 30.

[0076] Following this, the current URL manager 50 transmits, to theradar information generator 20, both the URL of the web page that iscurrently displayed on the page display unit 60 and is browsed by theuser, and a command for the generation of radar information concerningthe current location of the moving object 220 (step 402).

[0077] Then, based on the URL received with the command, the radarinformation generator 20 generates radar information for generation ofthe radar information (step 403). Subsequently, the obtained radarinformation is transmitted to the user terminal 130 and is reflected bythe screen for the radar 230 displayed by the radar display unit 40.Further, the radar information generator 20 transmits the process to thezero distance performer 30, in accordance with the distance, which iscalculated upon the generation of the radar information, between the webpage that the user is browsing and the web page whereat the movingobject 220 is located (step 404).

[0078] The zero distance performer 30 performs different processes whenthe web page that is currently being browsed is the same as the web pagewhereat the moving object 220 is located (when the user has reached theweb page whereat the moving object 220 is located) and when the web pagewhereat the moving object 220 is located is moved to another web page(the user exits the current web page).

[0079] As will be described later, when the user has reached the webpage whereat the moving object 220 is located, the radar informationgenerator 20 ascertains the veracity of that effect and transmits anotification attesting to that effect to the zero distance performer 30(step 405). Upon the receipt of this notification, the zero distanceperformer 30 displays the moving object 220 on the page display unit 60of the user terminal 130 (step 406).

[0080] When the user finds the moving object 220 on the display, he orshe performs a specific operation to transmit a notice to that effect tothe zero distance performer 30. Then, as the process to be performedfollowing the location of the moving object 220, the zero distanceperformer 30 displays a specific dialogue on the user terminal 130 andrequests the entry by the user of information concerning the pertinentuser. The information entered in accordance with this dialogue istransmitted by the zero distance performer 30 to the moving objectmanager 10, which thereafter manages the information (steps 407 and408).

[0081] When the user can not find the moving object 220, even though heor she is browsing the web page whereat the moving object 220 islocated, and when the user thereafter moves to another web page, itmeans that the user has exited the web page whereat the moving object220 is located (steps 407 and 401 to 404). In this case, as will bedescribed later, the radar information generator 20 ascertains that theuser has exited the web page whereat the moving object 220 is locatedand transmits a notification to that effect to the zero distanceperformer 30 (step 409). Upon the receipt of this notification, the zerodistance performer 30 deletes the moving object 220 displayed on the webpage at step 406 (step 410).

[0082] It should be noted that in this embodiment data (hereinafterreferred to as content data) concerning the contents of the movingobject 220 are supposed to be stored in the main server 110, whichincludes the moving object manager 10. A linking object for accessingthe content data of the moving object 220 is displayed on the web pageof the web site included in the contract site group 210. That is, whenthe user clicks on a linking object that appears at the contract sitegroup 210, the moving object 220, which is managed by the moving objectmanager 10, is activated. Therefore, in the following explanation, whenthe linking object is present at a predetermined web page, i.e., when alink to the content data of the moving object 220 is set in thepredetermined web page, it is assumed that the moving object 220 islocated at the web page.

[0083] Naturally, unlike the embodiment wherein only the linking objectfor the content data of the moving object 220 is moved, the substance ofthe moving object 220, to include the content data, may be moved. Inthis case, the content data for the moving object 220 are transferredand distributed among the site servers 120 of the web sites included inthe contract site group 210. Thus, the moving object manager 10 of themain server 110 must constantly communicate with the site server 120,and must likewise be notified of the location of the moving object 220and the search status of the user.

[0084] The processes performed by the respective functional blocks willnow be descried in detail.

[0085]FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe current URL manager 50 at step 402 in FIG. 4.

[0086] In FIG. 6, first, the current URL manager 50 receives, from thepage display unit 60, a web page change notification (steps 601 and602), and obtains from the notification the URL of a web page that isnewly being browsed (step 603). Then, the current URL manager 50 issuesa command to the radar information generator 20 for the generation ofradar information (step 604).

[0087]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe radar information generator 20 at steps 403 and 404 in FIG. 4.

[0088] In FIG. 7, first, the radar information generator 20 receives theradar information generation command from the current URL manager 50(steps 701 and 702), and extracts, from that command, the URL of a newweb page that is currently being browsed (step 703).

[0089] Then, the radar information generator 20 issues a request to themoving object manager 10 (step 704) for the URL of the moving object220, and obtains (step 705) the URL of the moving object 220.Sequentially, the radar information generator 20 compares the URL of thecurrent web page obtained at step 703 with the URL of the moving object220 obtained at step 705, and ascertains the distance between them (step706) As is described above, since in this embodiment the content data ofthe moving object 220 is stored in the main server 110, and since thelinking object for the content data of the moving object 220 travels tothe individual members of the contract site group 210, the URL of theweb page for which the link is set is used as the URL of the movingobject 220. How the distance between the two URLs is defined will bedescribed later.

[0090] When the distance between the two URLs obtained at step 706 iszero, the radar information generator 20 sets to ON a zero distanceflag, which is an internal flag provided in order to identify whetherthe moving object 220 is located at the currently browsed web page(steps 707 and 708). Then, the radar information generator 20 transmits,to the zero distance performer 30, a notification indicating that themoving object 220 is located at the web page that is currently beingbrowsed (step 709). After the transmission of the notification, theradar information generator 20 generates radar information indicatingthat the moving object 220 is located at the web page that is currentlybeing browsed, and transmits the radar information to the user terminal130 (step 710).

[0091] When the distance between the two URLs is not zero, the radarinformation generator 20 determines whether the zero distance flag isON, and if the flag is ON, sets it to OFF (steps 711 and 712). Sincebecause the zero distance flag is ON it is ascertained that the usermoved from the web page whereat the moving object 220 is located toanother web page, the radar information generator 20 transmits, to thezero distance performer 30, a notification indicating that the userexited the web page whereat the moving object 220 is located (step 713).

[0092] When the zero distance flag is OFF, or after the exitnotification has been issued, the radar information generator 20generates radar information based on the distance between the URL of theweb page that is currently being browsed and the URL whereat the movingobject 220 is located, and transmits the radar information to the userterminal 130 (step 714).

[0093]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe zero distance performer 30 at steps 405, 406, 409 and 410 in FIG. 4.

[0094] In FIG. 8, when the zero distance performer 30 receives thearrival notification from the radar information generator 20 (steps 801and 802), it is ascertained that the user has reached the web pagewhereat the moving object 220 is located. Thus, the zero distanceperformer 30 adds to the web page the link with the moving object 220,and transmits the resultant web page to the page display unit 60 of theuser terminal 130. As a result, the web page, to include the link withthe moving object 220, is displayed on the page display unit 60 (step803). Specifically, for example, an icon for a link to the moving object220 can be displayed on the web page.

[0095] The above processing corresponds to the arrival notificationprocess at step 405 and the display process at step 406.

[0096] After the moving object 220 has been displayed, and when exitnotification has been received from the radar information generator 20(step 804), the zero distance performer 30 ascertains that the user hasexited the web page whereat the moving object 220 is located. Thus, thezero distance performer 30 deletes, from the web page, the link with themoving object 220 displayed at step 803 (steps 805 and 806). Thisprocessing corresponds to the exit notification process at step 409 andthe deletion process at step 410 in FIG. 4.

[0097] Further, after the moving object 220 has been displayed, and whenthe zero distance performer 30 has received, from the page display unit60, an event indicating that the link with the moving object 220 hasbeen clicked on, instead of the exit notification output by the radarinformation generator 20 (steps 807 and 808), the zero distanceperformer 30 issues a request to the moving object manager 10 to obtainthe content data of the moving object 220 (step 809). Upon the receiptof this request, the moving object manager 10 transmits the content dataof the moving object 220 (step 810).

[0098] When it is confirmed that the content data of the moving object220 has been obtained, the zero distance performer 30, to display adialogue so as to perform the process following the location of themoving object 220, issues a request to the user terminal 130 (steps 811and 812). Upon the receipt of this request, the user terminal 130displays a predetermined dialogue, and accepts the entry from the user.While specific data to be entered varies depending on how the userguidance system of the invention that uses the moving object 220 isemployed, ID information, for example, for identifying the user wholocated the moving object 220 is entered. The data entered in thedialogue are transmitted, via the zero distance performer 30, to themoving object manager 10, which thereafter manages the data.

[0099]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe moving object manager 10. In FIG. 9, the moving object manager 10receives, from the radar information generator 20, a request forobtaining the URL of the moving object 220, and receives, from the zerodistance performer 30, a request for obtaining the moving object 220.When the request for obtaining the URL of the moving object 220 isreceived from the radar information generator 20 (steps 901 and 902), inresponse the moving object manager 10 transmits the URL of the movingobject 220 to the radar information generator 20, which is the requesttransmission source (step 903).

[0100] When a request to obtain the moving object 220 is received fromthe zero distance performer 30 (steps 904 and 905), the moving objectmanager 10 transmits a response to the request and the content data ofthe moving object 220 to the zero distance performer 30, which is therequest transmission source (step 906).

[0101] The request issued to obtain the moving object 220 is accepted inparallel to the process performed by the user terminal 130: theaccessing of the web page of the contract site group 210. Therefore,when the link with the moving object 220 is clicked on, multiplerequests for the moving object 220 may be issued at the same time. Inthis case, the moving object manager 10 must exercise exclusive controlthat regards only a specific user as the one who had obtained the movingobject 220 and that eliminates all the other users. Specifically, thefirst user to find the moving object 220 is detected, and a message,“the moving object has been obtained”, is transmitted to the user(acquisition response). The acquisition response includes information(an ID or contents) concerning the moving object 220. Further, a message“the moving object has been acquired by another user” is transmitted tothe other users (acquisition failure response). In this embodiment, thefirst user who finds the moving object 220 is regarded as the person whohas obtained the moving object 220; however, a specific user determinedby another arbitrary reference may be regarded as the person who hasobtained the moving object 220.

[0102]FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams for explaining the process performedby the moving object manager 10 when four acquisition requests for twomoving objects 220 are issued at the same time. As is shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B, of four acquisition requests 1 to 4, moving objects 220 can beobtained for requests 1 and 2. Thus, as is shown in FIG. 10C, anacquisition response is transmitted to the user terminals 130 thatissued the requests 1 and 2, and an acquisition failure response istransmitted to the user terminals 130 that issued the requests 3 and 4.

[0103] Further, although not shown, the moving object manager 10accepts, from the zero distance performer 30, the data that are enteredby using a predetermined dialogue during the process performed by thezero distance performer 30, following the finding of the moving object220, and manages information concerning the user who has obtained themoving object 220.

[0104] An explanation will now be given for the radar 230 displayed atthe user terminal 130 by the radar display unit 40. The radar 230submits the distance to the currently browsed web page to the targetmoving object 220 by using an expression form that a user can visuallyidentify. The distance between the current web page and the movingobject 220 (distance between the URL of the web page that the user isbrowsing and the URL of the web page whereat the moving object 220 islocated) is not a physical distance, but is a concept whereby the easewith which a transfer can be effected from the web page that ispresently being browsed to the web page at which the moving object 220is present is represented by a numerical value. Various methods can beused to define this distance. An explanation will now be given for thedefinitions used for several distances and the method for calculatingthe distances.

[0105] First, the definition of the distance between the URLs, for whichthe URL structure is used, will be described. Since a site name and afile name are described as a URL in accordance with the hierarchicalstructure of the storage locations of files, the distance can be definedbased on the hierarchical structure as indicated by the URLs.

[0106]FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the distance between definedURLs by using the structures of the URLs. In FIG. 11, the hierarchicalstructure of the storage locations of files indicated by the URLs isexpressed as a tree structure. In FIG. 11, the URL with an asterisk (*)is the one whereat the moving object 220 is located. The numbers addedto nodes indicate the distances to the moving object 220. For example,since “com.ibm.www/products” can be reached by tracking one branch from“com.ibm.www/products/index.html”, the distance is “1”. Similarly, since“com.ibm.www” can be reached by tracking two branches, the distance is“2”. Further, since “com.ibm.www/news” and “com.ibm.www/services”, whichare at the same level as “com.ibm.www/products”, can be reached bytracking three branches, the distance is “3”.

[0107] An explanation will now be given for the definition of thedistance to the URLs using the conceptual hierarchical structure of aweb site. The distance can be defined by using the sorting of web sitesinto categories that employ a search engine.

[0108]FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the distances between URLsthat are defined by using the conceptual hierarchical structure, inwhich the sorting of web sites is represented by categories. In FIG. 12,the hierarchical structure of the categories is expressed as a treestructure. In FIG. 12, the URL with an asterisk (*) is the one whereat,the moving object 220 is located. The numbers added to nodes representthe distances from the moving object 220. For example, since thecategory “computers” of “companies” can be reached by tracking onebranch from “IBM” that is sorted into “computers”, the distance is “1”.Similarly, since “∘∘ Electric” and “×× Computer”, which are at the samelevel as “IBM”, can be reached by tracking two branches, the distance is“2”. Further, since “ΔΔ Printing” of category “Printing” can be reachedby tracking four branches, the distance is “4”.

[0109] An explanation will now be given for the definition of thedistance between the URLs based on the connection relationship of thehyperlinks of the web pages. The user terminal 130 that is browsing apredetermined web page can jump (move) to another web page along ahyperlink that is set in the current web page. Therefore, the number ofjumps required for moving from the current web page to the web pagewhereat the moving object 220 is located can be defined as the distancebetween those web pages.

[0110]FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the distances between the URLsdefined by using the hyperlinks of the web pages at a predetermine site.In FIG. 13, the connection relationship of the hyperlinks of multipleweb pages is shown. In FIG. 13, the URL with an asterisk (*) is the onewhereat the moving object 220 is located. The numbers added to nodesindicate distances to the moving object 220. Since the web page, “aboutthis company”, can be reached with one jump from web page “employmentinformation”, the distance is “1”. Similarly, since “new product News”and “product list” can be reached by three jumps, the distance is “3”.Further, since three jumps are required to move to another associatedsite, the distance to web page “employment information” is obtained byadding three to the number of jumps that is required to reach this sitefrom the associated site shown in FIG. 13.

[0111] In addition to the structural information, such as the URLstructure, the sorting of web pages and the connection relationship ofthe web pages, the descriptions of the URLs can be compared to definethe distance between the URL of a predetermined web page and the URLwhereat the moving object 220 is located. For example, the number ofdifferent characters between two URLs can be defined as the distancebetween the two. That is, when

[0112] (1) http://www.ibm.com/news/index.html and

[0113] (2) http://www.ibm.co.jp/news/index.html

[0114] are compared, three characters are different between “com” in (1)and “co.jp” in (2). Thus, the distance between the URLs can be definedas “3”. Further, the distance can be set in accordance with how manyspecific keywords (character strings) are included in a URL. Inaddition, in accordance with the physical connections of a network, theresponse time for the network to the target site or the number ofcomputers that pass through the target site, may be employed.

[0115] An explanation will now be given for the expression form of theradar 230 that is generated based on the distance between the URLsdefined using these methods.

[0116]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example for the radar 230. In theradar 230, a polar coordinate system is employed to schematicallydisplay the position of the moving object 220 relative to a web pagethat is currently being browsed. That is, with the current web pageacting as the origin, the position of the moving object 220 isrepresented by the parameters (r, θ). The parameter r indicates thedistance between the current web page and the moving object 220, and theparameter θ is set in accordance with the tastes of the user and thetype of web site whereat the moving object 220 is present. When theparameters are actually used, the parameter θ need not be specificallyset. That is, the coordinate system is divided into several fan-shapedregions that are allocated in accordance with, for example, the hobbiesof the users, and then, a mark representing the moving object 220 isdisplayed in an appropriate region in accordance with the type of website or web page whereat the moving object 220 is located.

[0117] Furthermore, instead of displaying the radar chart employing thepolar coordinate system, simply a numerical value representing thedistance between the currently browsed web page and the moving object220 may be displayed, or a graph may be displayed that represents thelocus of a change in the distance to the moving object 220 based on thebrowsing history of the web page.

[0118] Further, a list of web sites that store the web page whereat themoving object 220 is located may be displayed. In this list, displaycolors used for list elements may be changed in accordance with thedistance between the current web page and the list element that is a website, so as to apprise a user of the distance. When a user is browsingthe web page of a web site that is not one of the members of thecontract site group 210 whereat the moving object 220 may be located,the distance between the current web page and the moving object 220 maybe quite large, depending on the distance definition method that isused. Therefore, in such a case the radar may be displayed using thelist format, and later, after the user has moved to the web page of acontract site group 210 member or to the web page whereat the movingobject 220 is actually located, the radar chart in FIG. 14 may beemployed in conjunction with numerical values or a graph.

[0119] Modes for the network system for carrying out the embodiment willnow be described.

[0120]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a list of modes for the networksystem. As is described above, in this embodiment, the moving objectmanager 10 is provided for the main server 110, and the radar displayunit 40, the current URL manager 50 and the page display unit 60 areprovided for the user terminal 130. Therefore, depending on whether theradar information generator 20 and the zero distance performer 30 areprovided, the network system can be sorted into several modes.

[0121] In FIG. 15, in accordance with the embodiment, five modes areshown for the network system: an S-C-C type, whereat both the radarinformation generator 20 and the zero distance performer 30 are providedfor the user terminal 130; an S-C-S type, whereat the radar informationgenerator 20 is provided for the user terminal 130 and the zero distanceperformer 30 is provided for the main server 110 or the site server 120;an S-S-C type, whereat the radar information generator 20 is providedfor the main server 110 and the zero distance performer 30 is providedfor the user terminal 130; an S-S-S type, whereat the radar informationgenerator 20 is provided for the main server 110 and the zero distanceperformer 30 is provided for the main server 110 or the site server 120;and an S-Ss-Ss type, whereat both the radar information generator 20 andthe zero distance performers 30 are-provided for the site server 120.

[0122] According to the S-C-C type mode in FIG. 15, of the operationsperformed for the above embodiment, the user terminal 130 is in chargeof (1) the transmission of a radar information generation command fromthe current URL manager 50 to the radar information generator 20; (2)the transmission of radar information from the radar informationgenerator 20 to the radar display unit 40; (3) the exchange of data bythe page display unit 60 and the zero distance performer 30 when thepage display unit 60 obtains a web page or issues an event in responseto the instruction for the web page, or when the page display unit 60generates a dialogue and permits the addition of a data entry to thedialogue; and (4) the transmission of an arrival notification or an exitnotification by the radar information generator 20 to the zero distanceperformer 30. And in addition, when the moving object 220 is found, (5)the exchange of data by the zero distance performer 30 and the movingobject manager 10 is effected through data communication between theuser terminal 130, which includes the zero distance performer 30, andthe main server 110, which includes the moving object manager 10.

[0123] In this mode, the radar information generator 20 and the zerodistance performer 30 may be provided as functions of the web browserfor the user terminal 130 by the use of plug-ins, for example, or theymay be provided as application programs.

[0124] Next, according to the S-C-S type mode wherein the zero distanceperformer 30 is provided for the main server 110, the user terminal 130is in charge of (1) the transmission of a radar information generationcommand by the current URL manager 50 to the radar information generator20; and (2) the transmission of radar information by the radarinformation generator 20 to the radar display unit 40. Further, (3) theexchange of data by the page display unit 60 and the zero distanceperformer 30 when the page display unit 60 obtains a web page or issuesan event in response to the instruction for the web page, or when thepage display unit 60 generates a dialogue and permits the addition ofdata to the dialogue; and (4) the transmission by the radar informationgenerator 20 of an arrival notification or an exit notification to thezero distance performer 30 is effected by data communication between theuser terminal 130, which includes the page display unit 60 and the radarinformation generator 20, and the main server 110, which includes thezero distance performer 30. In addition, the main server 110 is incharge of (5) the exchange of data by the zero distance performer 30 andthe moving object manager 10 when the moving object 220 is found. Inthis mode, the radar information generator 20 may be provided as afunction of the web browser for the user terminal 130 by the use of aplug-in, for example, or it may be provided as an application program.

[0125] According to the S-C-S type mode when the zero distance performer30 is provided for the site server 120, there are the followingdifferences from when the zero distance performer 30 is provided for themain server 110: (3) the exchange of data by the page display unit 60and the zero distance performer 30 when the page display unit 60 obtainsa web page or issues an event in response to the instruction for the webpage, or when the page display unit 60 generates a dialogue and permitsthe addition of data to the dialogue; and (4) the transmission of anarrival notification or an exit notification by the radar informationgenerator 20 to the zero distance performer 30 are effected by datacommunication between the user terminal 130 and the site server 120.Further, (5) the exchange of data by the zero distance performer 30 andthe moving object manager 10 when the moving object 220 is found iseffected by data communication between the site server 120 and the mainserver 110.

[0126] According to the S-S-C type mode, (1) the transmission of a radarinformation generation command by the current URL manager 50 to theradar information generator 20; (2) the transmission of radarinformation by the radar information generator 20 to the radar displayunit 40; (4) the transmission of an arrival notification or an exitnotification by the radar information generator 20 to the zero distanceperformer 30; and (5) the exchange of data by the zero distanceperformer 30 and the moving object manager 10 when the moving object 220is found are effected by data communication between the main server 110,which includes the moving object manager 10 and the radar informationgenerator 20, and the user terminal 130, which includes the zerodistance performer 30. In addition, the user terminal 130 is in chargeof (3) the exchange of data by the page display unit 60 and the zerodistance performer 30 when the page display unit 60 obtains a web pageor issues an event in response to the instruction for the web page, orwhen the page display unit 60 generates a dialogue and permits theaddition of data to the dialogue. In this mode, the zero distanceperformer 30 may be provided as a function of the web browser for theuser terminal 130 by the use of a plug-in, for example, or it may beprovided as an application program.

[0127] According to the S-S-S type mode wherein the zero distanceperformer 30 is provided for the main server 110, (1) the transmissionof a radar information generation command by the current URL manager 50to the radar information generator 20; (2) the transmission of radarinformation by the radar information generator 20 to the radar displayunit 40; and (3) the exchange of data by the page display unit 60 andthe zero distance performer 30 when the page display unit 60 obtains aweb page or issues an event in response to the instruction for the webpage, or when the page display unit 60 generates a dialogue and permitsthe addition of data to the dialogue are effected by data communicationbetween the user terminal 130 and the main server 110, which includesthe radar information generator 20 and the zero distance performer 30.In addition, the main server 110 is in charge of (4) the transmission ofan arrival notification or an exit notification by the radar informationgenerator 20 to the zero distance performer 30; and (5) the exchange ofdata by the zero distance performer 30 and the moving object manager 10when the moving object 220 is found.

[0128] According to the S-S-S type mode wherein the zero distanceperformer 30 is provided for the site server 120, there is the followingdifference from when the zero distance performer 30 is provided for themain server 110: (3) the exchange of data by the page display unit 60and the zero distance performer 30 when the page display unit 60 obtainsa web page or issues an event in response to the instruction for the webpage, or when the page display unit 60 generates a dialogue and permitsthe addition of data to the dialogue is effected by data communicationbetween the user terminal 130 and the site server 120. Further, (4) thetransmission of an arrival notification or an exit notification by theradar information generator 20 to the zero distance performer 30; and(5) the exchange of data by the zero distance performer 30 and themoving object manager 10 when the moving object 220 is found areeffected by data communication between the site server 120 and the mainserver 110.

[0129] According to the S-Ss-Ss type mode, (1) the transmission of aradar information generation command by the current URL manager 50 tothe radar information generator 20; (2) the transmission of radarinformation by the radar information generator 20 to the radar displayunit 40; and (3) the exchange of data by the page display unit 60 andthe zero distance performer 30 when the page display unit 60 obtains aweb page or issues an event in response to the instruction for the webpage, or when the page display unit 60 generates a dialogue and permitsthe addition of data to the dialogue are effected by data communicationbetween the user terminal 130 and the site server 120, which includesthe radar information generator 20 and the zero distance performer 30.In addition, the site server 120 is in charge of (4) the transmission ofan arrival notification or an exit notification by the radar informationgenerator 20 to the zero distance performer 30; and (5) the exchange ofdata by the zero distance performer 30 and the moving object manager 10when the moving object 220 is found.

[0130] As is described above, the S-C-S and the S-S-S type modes eachhave two arrangements whereby the zero distance performer 30 is providedfor the main server 110 and whereby it is provided for the site server120. The difference between these arrangements will now be described. Asis described above, when one moving object 220 is found by multipleusers, exclusive control must be exercised in order for a specific userto be regarded as the person who acquired the moving object 220, and toinvalidate events by the other users indicating they discovered themoving object 220 (e.g., a clicking event for a link with the movingobject 220). When the zero distance performer 30 is present in the mainserver 110, the main server 110 accepts multiple events for thediscovery of the same moving object 220. Therefore, the main server 110exercises exclusive control for the handling of events by users otherthan the specific user who is regarded as the person who acquired themoving object 220, and notifies the user terminals 130 of the result.Therefore, a great load is imposed on the main server 110, and there isincreased communication traffic.

[0131] Whereas, when the zero distance performer 30 is located at thesite server 120, immediately after the moving object 220 is found by aspecific user, the site server 120 can invalidate discovery events byother users. As a result, after the moving object 220 has been found byone of the users, the site server 120 need only notify the main server110 of the acquisition of the moving object 220. Therefore, the loadimposed on the main server 110 is reduced, as is the communicationtraffic. However, the program for implementing the zero distanceperformer 30 must be installed in the site server 120, and a load isalso imposed on the web site manager.

[0132] As is described above, there are advantages and disadvantages,regardless of whether the zero distance performer 30 is provided for themain server 110 or for the site server 120. Therefore, it is preferablethat arrangement of the zero distance performer 30 depend on the systemoperation type.

[0133] FIGS. 16 to 19 are diagrams showing a network configuration forcarrying out the above described network system.

[0134] In the configuration in FIG. 16, the zero distance performer 30is provided for the main server 110 according to the S-C-S or the S-S-Stype mode. The user terminals 130 are connected to the network via themain server 110. Therefore, various operations performed by the userterminals 130 for the site servers 120 are managed by the main server110, and a process, such as the appearance or the deletion of the movingobject 220 or the acquisition of the moving object 220 by a user, can becontrolled.

[0135] In FIG. 17, another configuration is shown wherein the zerodistance performer 30 is provided for the main server 110 according tothe S-C-S or the S-S-S type mode. The user terminals 130 are connectedto the network via a proxy server 140, and in accordance with variousoperations performed by the user terminals 130 for the site servers 120,the main server 110 performs a process as needed.

[0136] In the configuration in FIG. 18, the zero distance performer 30is provided for the site server 120 according to the S-C-S, the S-S-S orthe S-Ss-Ss type mode. Plug-ins 121 are added to the site servers 120 toprovide the zero distance performer 30 function, and therefore, aprocess, such as the appearance or the deletion of the moving object 220and the acquisition of the moving object 220 by a user, can becontrolled by the site servers 120.

[0137] In the configuration in FIG. 19, the zero distance performer 30is provided for the user terminal 130 according to the S-C-C or theS-S-C type mode. As is shown in FIG. 19, plug-ins 132 are added to webbrowsers 131 of the user terminals 130 in order to provide the radarinformation generator 20 and the zero distance performer 30 functions,and therefore, the user terminals 130 control a process, such as theappearance or the deletion of the moving object 220 or the acquisitionof the moving object 220 by a user, and transmit only the results to themain server 110. When the network configurations shown in FIGS. 16 to 19are combined and employed as needed, the user guidance system accordingto the embodiment can be implemented.

[0138] Second Embodiment

[0139]FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a user guidance systemaccording to a second embodiment.

[0140] In FIG. 20, a general moving object manager 11 managesinformation, such as the location of a moving object 220 and a searchstatus. For each user terminal 130, a user side moving object manager 12supports the general moving object manager 11 for the management of themoving object 220. When the user has reached a web page whereat themoving object 220 is located, i.e., when the user is browsing that webpage, a zero distance performer 31 displays the moving object 220 on theweb page and performs a process when the user finds the moving object220.

[0141] Since a radar information generator 20, a radar display unit 40,a current URL manager 50 and a page display unit 60 are the same asthose for the radar information generator 20, the radar display unit 40,the current URL manager 50 and the page display unit 60 in the firstembodiment shown in FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are used todenote these components, and no further explanation will be given forthem. In the second embodiment, it should be noted that the radarinformation generator 20 is provided for the user terminal 130.

[0142] With this configuration, the general moving object manager 11 isprovided for the main server 110. The user side moving object manager 12is provided for the user terminal 130 of a user who participates in asearch event for finding the moving object 220. And the user side movingobject manager 12 may be provided as a function of the web browser forthe user terminal 130 by the use of a plug-in, for example, or may beprovided as an application program.

[0143] In this embodiment, the general moving object manager 11 providedfor the main server 110 only manages information, such as the locationof the moving object 220 and the search status and acquisition statusfor the moving object 220. The user side moving object manager 12 storesthe data for the contents of the moving object 220, and performs theprocess with the radar information generator 20 that is required for thepositional information of the moving object 220 and the process with thezero distance performer 31 that is required for the acquisition of themoving object 220.

[0144] As is described above, in this embodiment, data for the contentsof the moving object 220 and the positional information are stored byeach of the user terminals 130. Thus, when the moving object 220 isfound by a predetermined user, the information for the moving object220, which is managed by the user side moving object manager 12 in eachuser terminal 130, must be updated (hereinafter, this information isreferred to as assigned information, and the provision of theinformation to the moving object manager 12 is referred to the movingobject assignment). Thus, the effective period for the assignedinformation of the moving object 220 is determined, and when theeffective period has expired, the assigned information is abandoned andthe moving object 220 is reassigned. When the moving object 220 is foundby a specific user, the moving object manager 12 of the user terminal130 forwards a notification to that effect to the general moving objectmanager 11. Therefore, when notifications of the discovery of the samemoving object 220 are received from the moving object managers 12 ofmultiple user terminals 130, the general moving object manager 11assumes and exercises exclusive control.

[0145]FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the general processingperformed by the user guidance system in FIG. 20.

[0146] In FIG. 21, first, as the initial setup, the general movingobject manager 11 assigns the moving object 220 to the moving objectmanager 12 of each of the user terminals 130 (step 2101). Thus, the userterminals 130 can obtain a variety of information (radar information anddata for contents) concerning the moving object 220.

[0147] Then, the web page is displayed on the page display unit 60 ofthe user terminal 130 (step 2102). This web page is one at a web sitethat is a member of the contract site group 210 in FIG. 2. When the webpage is displayed on the page display unit 60, the page display unit 60notifies the current URL manager 50 of the URL of the web page on thedisplay.

[0148] Next, the current URL manager 50 transmits, to the radarinformation generator 20, the radar information generation commandconcerning the current location of the moving object 220, together withthe URL of the web page that is currently displayed by the page displayunit 60 (step 2103).

[0149] The radar information generator 20 generates radar informationbased on the URL that is received with the radar information generationcommand (step 2104). Then, the obtained radar information is transmittedto the user terminal 130, and is reflected by the radar 230 displayed bythe radar display unit 40. In addition, the radar information generator20 transmits the process to the zero distance performer 31 in accordancewith the distance, which is obtained during the generation of the radarinformation, between the web page that the user is currently browsingand the web page whereat the moving object 220 is located (step 2105).

[0150] When the user exits the web page displayed on the page displayunit 60 and reaches the web page whereat the moving object 220 islocated, the radar information generator 20 transmits, to the zerodistance performer 31, an arrival notification indicating that the userhas reached the web page (step 2106). Upon the receipt of thisnotification, the zero distance performer 31 displays the moving object220 on the page display unit 60 of the user terminal 130 (step 2107).When the user has found the moving object 220 on the display, he or sheperforms a predetermined manipulation to transmit notification of thediscovery of the moving object 220. In response to this manipulation,the zero distance performer 31 displays a predetermined dialogue on theuser terminal 130 requesting that the user enter his or her userinformation. The information input to the dialogue is transmitted by thezero distance performer 31 to the user side moving object manager 12,and is also transmitted to the general moving object manager 11 (steps2108 and 2109).

[0151] When the user exits the web page whereat the moving object 220 islocated (steps 2108 and 2101 to 2105), the radar information generator20 transmits, to the zero distance performer 31, an exit notificationindicating the user has exited the web page (step 2110). Upon thereceipt of this notification, the zero distance performer 31 deletes themoving object 220 that is displayed on the web page at step 2107 (step2111).

[0152] When the user has found the moving object 220, or when the userhas exited the web page whereat the moving object 220 is located, orwhen the effective period determined at step 2101 for the assignedinformation has expired, the moving object 220 is reassigned (step2101).

[0153] A detailed explanation will now be given for the processingperformed by the moving object manager 12 and the general moving objectmanager 11.

[0154]FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe user side moving object manager 12.

[0155] In FIG. 22, the moving object manager 12 performs a process forobtaining the URL of the moving object 220, a process for obtaining themoving object 220, a process concerning the effective period for theassigned information for the moving object 220, and a process for thereassignment of the moving object 220. Specifically, when the request toobtain the URL of the moving object 220 is received from the radarinformation generator 20 (steps 2201 and 2202), the URL of the movingobject 220 is returned to the radar information generator 20 of the userterminal 130 that submitted the request (step 2203). When a request toobtain the moving object 220 is received from the zero distanceperformer 31 (steps 2204 and 2205), the general moving object manager 11is notified that the moving object 220 was found by a specific user(step 2206). A response to the acquisition request, and the data for thecontents of the moving object 220 are returned to the zero distanceperformer 31, which submitted the request (step 2207). When theeffective period for the assigned information of the moving object 220has expired (steps 2208 and 2209), a notification (time expirationnotification) indicating that the effective period for the assignedinformation has expired is transmitted to the general moving objectmanager 11 (step 2210). When the general moving object manager 11reassigns the moving object 220 (steps 2211 and 2212), the assignedinformation that is stored for the moving object 220 is updated (step2213).

[0156]FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe general moving object manager 11.

[0157] In FIG. 23, the general moving object manager 11 receives anotification from the user side moving object manager 12, and assignsthe moving object 220. Two types of notifications are received from themoving object manager 12: a time expiration notification, indicating theeffective period has expired for the assigned information that waspreviously provided, and a notification indicating the moving object 220has been found by a user.

[0158] Specifically, when the general moving object manager 11 receivesthe time expiration notification for the assigned information from themoving object manager 12 (steps 2301 and 2302), the general movingobject manager 11 regenerates assigned information for the moving object220 (step 2303). Then, the general moving object manager 11 transmitsthe assigned information to the moving object manager 12 of the userterminal 130 that issued the time expiration notification (step 2304).In this case, since the purpose of this process is the updating of theold assigned information, the assigned information need not betransmitted to user terminals 130 other than the one that issued thetime expiration notification.

[0159] When the notification indicating the moving object 220 has beenfound is received from the user side moving object manager 12 (steps2305 and 2306), the assigned information concerning the moving object220 is generated (step 2307). The assigned information is transmitted tothe moving object managers 12 of all the user terminals 130 for whichassignment of the moving object 220 is performed (step 2308). In thiscase, since thereafter another user can not obtain the moving object220, the assigned information is transmitted not only to the userterminal 130 that issued the notification but also to the remaining userterminals 130, as notification that the moving object 220 has beenfound.

[0160] The operations of the page display unit 60, the current URLmanager 50, the radar information generator 20, the zero distanceperformer 31 and the radar display unit 40 are the same as those of thepage display unit 60, the current URL manager 50, the radar informationgenerator 20, the zero distance performer 30 and the radar display unit40 in the first embodiment, and no further explanation for them will begiven.

[0161] It should be noted, however, that, as is shown in FIG. 20, whenthe moving object 220 is found, the zero distance performer 31 issues arequest for the acquisition of the moving object 220 to the movingobject manager 12, and obtains the data for the contents of the movingobject 220 from the moving object manager 12.

[0162] Modes for the network system according to the second embodimentwill now be described.

[0163]FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a list of the modes for the abovedescribed network system. As is described above, in this embodiment, thegeneral moving object manager 11 is provided for the main server 110,the user side moving object manager 12, and the radar informationgenerator 20, the radar display unit 40, the current URL manager 50 andthe page display unit 60 are provided for the user terminal 130.Therefore, the network system can be sorted into several modes dependingon whether the zero distance performer 31 is provided.

[0164] In FIG. 24, according to this embodiment there are two modes forthe network system: an SC1-C-C type, wherein the zero distance performer31 is provided for the user terminal 130, and an SC1-C-S type, whereinthe zero distance performer 31 is provided for the main server 110 orthe site server 120.

[0165] According to the SC1-C-C type in FIG. 24, the user terminal 130is in charge of (1) the exchange of data by the page display unit 60 andthe zero distance performer 31 when the page display unit 60 obtains aweb page or issues an event in response to the instruction for the webpage, or when the page display unit 60 generates a dialogue and permitsthe addition of data to the dialogue; (2) the transmission of an arrivalnotification or an exit notification by the radar information generator20 to the zero distance performer 31; and (3) the exchange of data bythe zero distance performer 31 and the moving object manager 12 when themoving object 220 is found.

[0166] According to the SC1-C-S type mode wherein the zero distanceperformer 31 is provided for the main server 110, the above operations(1) to (3) are effected by data communication between the user terminal130 and the main server 110, which includes the zero distance performer31.

[0167] According to the SC1-C-S type mode wherein the zero distanceperformer 31 is provided for the site server 120, the above operations(1) to (3) are effected by data communication between the user terminal130 and the site server 120, which includes the zero distance performer31.

[0168] When, as in this embodiment, the management of the informationconcerning the moving object 220 is supported by the user terminal 130,a special moving object 220 for a specific user can appear only at aspecial site among the members of the contract site group 210.

[0169] Third Embodiment

[0170]FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a userguidance system according to a third embodiment.

[0171] In FIG. 25, a general moving object manager 13 managesinformation, such as the position of a moving object 220 and its searchstatus. A user side moving object manager 14 supports, for each userterminal 130, the management of the moving object 220 by the generalmoving object manager 13. When a user has reached a web page whereat themoving object 220 is located, i.e., when a user is browsing that webpage, a zero distance performer 32 displays the moving object 220 on theweb page, and performs the process that is required when the user findsthe moving object 220.

[0172] Since a radar information generator 20, a radar display unit 40,a current URL manager 50 and a page display unit 60 are the same asthose for the radar information generator 20, the radar display unit 40,the current URL manager 50 and the page display unit 60 in the firstembodiment in FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are used to denotethese components and no further explanation will be given for them. Itshould be noted that in this embodiment the radar information generator20 is provided for the user terminal 130.

[0173] With this configuration, the general moving object manager 13 isprovided for the main server 110. The user side moving object manager 14is provided for the user terminal 130 of a user who participates in anevent for the acquisition of the moving object 220. The moving objectmanager 14 may be provided as a function of the web browser for the userterminal 130 by the use of a plug-in, for example, or it may be providedas an application program. In this embodiment, the general moving objectmanager 13 provided for the main server 110 manages information, such asthe location of the moving object 220 and the search status and theacquisition status for the moving object 220, and stores data for thecontents of the moving object 220. The moving object manager 14 performsa process with the radar information generator 20 concerning thepositional information of the moving object 220.

[0174] As is described above, in this embodiment, the positionalinformation for the moving object 220 is stored in each user terminal130. Therefore, when the moving object 220 is found by a specific user,the assigned information concerning the moving object 220, which isstored in the moving object manager 14 of each user terminal 130, mustbe updated. Thus, the effective period for the assigned information forthe moving object 220 is determined, and when the effective period hasexpired, the assigned information is abandoned and the moving object 220is reassigned.

[0175] Since the data for the contents of the moving object 220 arestored in the general moving object manager 13, when the moving object220 is found by multiple users, the process concerning the acquisitionof the moving object 220 is performed by the zero distance performer 32and the general moving object manager 13. Therefore, the user sidemoving object manager 14 does not issue to the general moving objectmanager 13 a notification indicating that the moving object 220 has beenfound.

[0176]FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the general processingperformed by the user guidance system in FIG. 25.

[0177] In FIG. 26, first, as the initial setup, the general movingobject manager 13 assigns the moving object 220 to the moving objectmanager 14 of each of the user terminals 130 (step 2601). Thus, the userterminals 130 can obtain a variety of information (radar information anddata for contents) concerning the moving object 220.

[0178] Then, the web page is displayed on the page display unit 60 ofthe user terminal 130 (step 2602). This web page is one at a web sitethat is a member of the contract site group 210 in FIG. 2. When the webpage is displayed on the page display unit 60, the page display unit 60notifies the current URL manager 50 of the URL of the web page on thedisplay.

[0179] Next, the current URL manager 50 transmits, to the radarinformation generator 20, the radar information generation commandconcerning the current location of the moving object 220, together withthe URL of the web page that is currently displayed by the page displayunit 60 (step 2603).

[0180] The radar information generator 20 generates radar informationbased on the URL that is received with the radar information generationcommand (step 2604). Then, the obtained radar information is transmittedto the user terminal 130, and is reflected by the radar 230 displayed bythe radar display unit 40.

[0181] In addition, the radar information generator 20 transmits theprocess to the zero distance performer 32 in accordance with thedistance, which is obtained during the generation of the radarinformation, between the web page that the user is currently browsingand the web page whereat the moving object 220 is located (step 2605).

[0182] When the user exits the web page displayed on the page displayunit 60 and reaches the web page whereat the moving object 220 islocated, the radar information generator 20 transmits, to the zerodistance performer 32, an arrival notification indicating that the userhas reached the web page (step 2606). Upon the receipt of thisnotification, the zero distance performer 32 displays the moving object220 on the page display unit 60 of the user terminal 130 (step 2607).

[0183] When the user has found the moving object 220 on the display, heor she performs a predetermined manipulation to transmit notification ofthe discovery of the moving object 220. In response to thismanipulation, the zero distance performer 32 displays a predetermineddialogue on the user terminal 130 requesting that the user enter his orher user information. The information input to the dialogue istransmitted by the zero distance performer 32 to the general movingobject manager 13, which in turn manages the information (steps 2608 and2609).

[0184] When the user exits the web page whereat the moving object 220 islocated (steps 2608 and 2601 to 2605), the radar information generator20 transmits, to the zero distance performer 32, an exit notificationindicating the user has exited the web page (step 2610). Upon thereceipt of this notification, the zero distance performer 32 deletes themoving object 220 that is displayed on the web page at step 2607 (step2611).

[0185] When the user has exited the web page whereat the moving object220 is located, or when the effective period determined at step 2601 forthe assigned information has expired, the moving object 220 isreassigned (step 2601).

[0186] A detailed explanation will now be given for the processingperformed by the moving object manager 14 and the general moving objectmanager 13.

[0187]FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe user side moving object manager 14.

[0188] In FIG. 27, the moving object manager 14 performs a process forobtaining the URL of the moving object 220, a process concerning theeffective period for the assigned information for the moving object 220,and a process for the reassignment of the moving object 220.Specifically, when the request to obtain the URL of the moving object220 is received from the radar information generator 20 (steps 2701 and2702), the URL of the moving object 220 is returned to the radarinformation generator 20 of the user terminal 130 that submitted therequest (step 2703). When the effective period for the assignedinformation of the moving object 220 has expired (steps 2704 and 2705),a time expiration notification indicating that the effective period forthe assigned information has expired is transmitted to the generalmoving object manager 13 (step 2706). When the general moving objectmanager 13 reassigns the moving object 220 (steps 2707 and 2708), theassigned information that is stored for the moving object 220 is updated(step 2709).

[0189]FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the processing performed bythe general moving object manager 13.

[0190] In FIG. 28, the general moving object manager 13 receives anotification from the user side moving object manager 14 or a requestfrom the zero distance performer 32, and assigns the moving object 220.

[0191] Specifically, when the general moving object manager 13 receivesthe time expiration notification from the moving object manager 14(steps 2801 and 2802), the general moving object manager 13 regeneratesassigned information for the moving object 220 (step 2803). Then, thegeneral moving object manager 13 transmits the assigned information tothe moving object manager 14 of the user terminal that issued the timeexpiration notification (step 2804). In this case, since the purpose ofthis process is the updating of the old assigned information, theassigned information need not be transmitted to user terminals 130 otherthan the one that issued the time expiration notification.

[0192] When a request for obtaining the moving object 220 is receivedfrom the zero distance performer 32 (steps 2805 and 2806), a response tothe acquisition request and the data for the contents of the movingobject 220 are returned to the zero distance performer 32, whichsubmitted the request (step 2807). In this case, since the moving object220 that was found can not be acquired by the other users, anacquisition failure signal is transmitted as a response to otherrequests for the acquisition of the moving object 220.

[0193] The operations of the page display unit 60, the current URLmanager 50, the radar information generator 20, the zero distanceperformer 32 and the radar display unit 40 are the same as those of thepage display unit 60, the current URL manager 50, the radar informationgenerator 20, the zero distance performer 30 and the radar display unit40 in the first embodiment, and no further explanation for them will begiven.

[0194] It should be noted, however, that, as is shown in FIG. 25, whenthe moving object 220 is found, the zero distance performer 32 issues arequest for the acquisition of the moving object 220 to the generalmoving object manager 13, and obtains the data for the contents of themoving object 220 from the general moving object manager 13.

[0195] Modes for the network system according to the second embodimentwill now be described.

[0196]FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a list of the modes for the abovedescribed network system. As is described above, in this embodiment, thegeneral moving object manager 13 is provided for the main server 110,the user side moving object manager 14, and the radar informationgenerator 20, the radar display unit 40, the current URL manager 50 andthe page display unit 60 are provided for the user terminal 130.Therefore, the network system can be sorted into several modes dependingon whether the zero distance performer 32 is provided.

[0197] In FIG. 29, according to this embodiment there are two modes forthe network system: an SC2-C-C type, wherein the zero distance performer32 is provided for the user terminal 130, and an SC2-C-S type, whereinthe zero distance performer 32 is provided for the main server 110 orthe site server 120. According to the SC2-C-C type in FIG. 29, the userterminal 130 is in charge of (1) the exchange of data by the pagedisplay unit 60 and the zero distance performer 32 when the page displayunit 60 obtains a web page or issues an event in response to theinstruction for the web page, or when the page display unit 60 generatesa dialogue and permits the addition of data to the dialogue; and (2) thetransmission of an arrival notification or an exit notification by theradar information generator 20 to the zero distance performer 32.Further, (3) the exchange of data by the zero distance performer 32 andthe general moving object manager 13 when the moving object 220 is foundis performed through data communication between the main server 110 andthe user terminal 130 that includes the zero distance performer 32.

[0198] According to the SC2-C-S type mode wherein the zero distanceperformer 32 is provided for the main server 110, (1) the exchange ofdata by the page display unit 60 and the zero distance performer 32 whenthe page display unit 60 acquires a web page or issues an event inresponse to the instruction for the web page, or when the page displayunit 60 generates a dialogue and permits the addition of data to thedialogue; and (2) the transmission of an arrival notification or an exitnotification by the radar information generator 20 to the zero distanceperformer 32 are effected by data communication between the userterminal 130 and the main server 110, which includes the zero distanceperformer 32. Further, the main server 110 is in charge of (3) theexchange of data by the zero distance performer 32 and the generalmoving object manager 13 when the moving object 220 is found.

[0199] According to the SC2-C-S type mode wherein the zero distanceperformer 32 is provided for the site server 120, (1) the exchange ofdata by the page display unit 60 and the zero distance performer 32 whenthe page display unit 60 obtains a web page or issues an event inresponse to the instruction for the web page, or when the page displayunit 60 generates a dialogue and permits the addition of data to thedialogue; and (2) the transmission of an arrival notification or an exitnotification by the radar information generator 20 to the zero distanceperformer 32 are effected by data communication between the userterminal 130 and the site server 120, which includes the zero distanceperformer 32. Further, (3) the exchange of data by the zero distanceperformer 32 and the general moving object manager 13 when the movingobject 220 is found is effected by data communication between the mainserver 110 and the site server 120, which includes the zero distanceperformer 32.

[0200] As is described above, when as in this embodiment the managementof the information concerning the moving object 220 is supported by eachuser terminal 130, a special moving object 220 for a specific user canappear only at a special site included in the contract site group 210.

EXAMPLES FOR PRESENT INVENTION

[0201] As is described above, according to the embodiments of theinvention, a user is permitted to search for the moving object 220, sothat the user is guided to predetermined content (a web page) on thenetwork. Multiple moving objects 220 may be employed for a searchperformed by the user. Further, a special object (a special offer to beprovided for the person who acquires the object) may appear for alimited time period. Further, a user may be guided to desired contentusing a specific order corresponding to that whereat the moving object220 is moved (appears).

[0202] Further, as in the second and third embodiments, positionalinformation concerning the moving object 220 is managed and controlledby each user terminal 130, so that the type of the moving object 220that appears on user terminals 130 can be controlled. For example,before the moving object manager 12 or 14 is provided for a user, thecategory of the hobby of the user is registered, and when the movingobject 220 appears in the contents of the category that corresponds tothe hobby of the user, the position of the moving object 220 isindicated by the radar display unit 40 of the user terminal 130.

[0203] Further, when the user is guided to a specific web page, anadvertisement for the web page can be provided. In this case, since allthe users who are searching for the moving object 220 can be guided,regardless of the type of web page, a larger number of users than thoseobtained by a banner advertisement or by the registration at a searchsite can be guided to the web page (i.e., regardless of whether theusers are interested in the contents of the web page). Since the userswho visit the web page are not always interested in it, usefulinformation is not always provided for these users. However, since someusers who are not originally interested in the pertinent web page maylater become interested in it, effects can be acquired that are notpossible when only banner advertisements or registrations at searchsites are used.

[0204] The charging form when the present invention is employed for theadvertisement of a predetermined content will now be descried.

[0205] When the present invention is used for the advertisement of a webpage, a constant number of users are guided to the content, so that anadvertisement fee is received as compensation from an advertiser. Inthis case, it is important to establish what the advertiser can beguaranteed as the result of users being guided to a web page. Thefollowing items can be presumed to be guaranteed.

[0206] (1) Guarantee the number of visits that users will make to a site(guarantee of visits)

[0207] The number of users who visit a site is guaranteed, and a fee ischarged in accordance with the guaranteed number of visiting users. Inthis case, the moving object 220 appears in the contract site apredetermined number of times, and the number of times that the movingobject 220 is found is regarded as the number of visits.

[0208] (2) Guarantee the probability that a user will visit a site(guarantee of probability)

[0209] The probability that a user will visit a site during apredetermined period of time is guaranteed. The visit probability is theratio of the number of users that visit the site to the total number ofusers (population) that participate in the search for the moving object220. When the search for the moving object 220 is more popular and canmore reliably collect users, the visiting probability is increased, anda high contract price can be charged.

[0210] (3) Guarantee of the probability that a user will scan a specificsite (guarantee of scanning ratio)

[0211] The pages that users visit are monitored, and the ratio of thesepages to all the pages belonging to the contract site is guaranteed.When a service provided by a predetermined site is not well known, themoving object 220 frequently appears in the contents for thepredetermined site, so that more users will visit the site. Thus,awareness of the service contents of the site can be effectivelydisseminated.

[0212] In the above embodiments, under a condition whereby the movingobject 220 is found by a specific user (where the icon of the movingobject 220 or the link to the moving object 220 is clicked on), themoving object 220 is moved to another content (web page). Further, whenthe user approaches within a predetermined range (the distance betweenthe web page that the user is browsing and the moving object 220 isequal to or less than a predetermined distance) and before the userfinds the moving object 220, the moving object can be moved. When themoving object 220 is moved while a specific distance from the user ismaintained, the user can be guided along a desired route.

[0213] Furthermore, instead of waiting until the user clicks on the iconof the moving object 220, or the link to the moving object 220, when theuser starts browsing the web page whereat the moving object 220 islocated, it may be ascertained that the user has found the moving object220. In this case, the process in each embodiment concerning the exitingof the web page is not required.

[0214] In addition, a web page that a specific user is browsing may alsobe regarded as the web page whereat the moving object 220 is located.With this configuration, when the user that has acquired the movingobject 220 travels among the web pages, the moving object 220 is movedin accordance with the user's intention. Further, when the location ofthe web page that another user is browsing is displayed on the radardisplay unit 40 of the user who acquired the moving object 220, the userwho acquired the moving object 220 can become aware of the presence ofanother user who is tracing him or her, and can escape from that user.As a result, the users can participate in a type of game, much likeplaying tag.

[0215] As is described above, according to the present invention, meansfor guiding a user to a specific site group can be provided, regardlessof whether or not the user has an interest in the contents of the site.

[0216] In addition, according to the present invention, a moving objectfor traveling among the members of a specific site group can be providedin order to guide a user to web pages in the site group.

1. A user guidance method comprising the steps of: permitting an object,which is so defined that it can be obtained by a user, to appear at aspecific location of a specific site; and moving said object, whereby auser who desires to obtain said object is guided to predeterminedcontent available at said specific site.
 2. The user guidance methodaccording to claim 1 , wherein said step of moving said object includesthe steps of: waiting, after said object has appeared at said specificlocation, until said object is obtained by users; and permitting saidobject, after said object has been obtained by any of said users, toappear at a different location at said specific site.
 3. The userguidance method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of:providing information, after said object has appeared, concerning thelocation of said object for said user who desires to obtain said object.4. The user guidance method according to claim 1 , wherein, at said stepof moving said object, said object is moved along a predetermined route,and said user who desires to obtain said object is guided to saidpredetermined content in accordance with a specific order based on saidroute.
 5. The user guidance method according to claim 1 , wherein, atsaid step of permitting said object to appear, said object appears atspecific locations at multiple connected sites across a network; andwherein at said step of moving said object, said object is moved acrosssaid network.
 6. The user guidance method according to claim 5 ,wherein, at said step of moving said object, said object is moved alonga predetermined route across said multiple sites on said network, andsaid user who desires to obtain said object is guided to predeterminedcontent available in a specific sequential order based on said route. 7.A content advertisement method comprising the steps of: permitting anobject, defined so that it can be obtained by a user, to appear on anetwork in contents multiple users desire to browse; and moving saidobject, when a predetermined user browses said contents, to contentsmultiple users desire to browse, whereby said user, who desires toobtain said object, is guided to and enabled to browse said contents. 8.The content advertisement method according to claim 7 , wherein, at saidstep of moving said object, movement of said object is effected along aroute that includes said contents multiple users desire to browse.
 9. Auser guidance system comprising: an object manager for managing thelocation of an object on a network; a position information generator forgenerating information concerning said location of said object, and forproviding said information to a user who is accessing said network; anda processor for, when said object is selected by a predetermined user,performing a predetermined process associated with the object selection,wherein said object manager arranges said object at a desired locationin order to guide said user to desired contents on said network.
 10. Theuser guidance system according to claim 9 , wherein, when said object isselected, said processor transmits a notification to that effect to saidobject manager, and upon the receipt of said notification, said objectmanager deletes said object selected by said user, and positions anotherobject at a different location on said network.
 11. A user guidancesystem according to claim 9 , wherein, when said object is selected by aspecific user, said processor transmits, together with informationconcerning said specific user, a notification to that effect to saidobject manager; wherein, upon the receipt of said notification, saidobject manager manages said information concerning said specific user,who is regarded as the person who has obtained said object; wherein, ifsaid object is selected by multiple users, only said specific user isregarded as the person who has obtained said object.
 12. An objectcontrol system comprising: web servers, for storing web pages; and amain server, for communicating with a predetermined web server, whereinsaid main server permits a specific object to appear in a specific webpage or delete from a specific web page stored in said specific webserver.
 13. The object control system according to claim 12 , whereinsaid object is selected when said object is present in a web page that auser is currently browsing; and wherein, when said object is selected bysaid user, said main server deletes said object from said web page andpermits said object to appear in another web page.
 14. The objectcontrol system according to claim 12 , wherein said main serverprovides, for said user who accesses said specific web server,information concerning the location of said object that is appearing.15. The object control system according to claim 14 , wherein saidinformation concerning said location of said object, which is providedfor said user, indicates the ease with which said object can be reachedfrom said web page browsed by said user.
 16. An object control systemcomprising: an object to be embedded in a web page stored at a web siteon a network; and object management means for managing the location ofsaid object on said network, wherein said object management meanschanges the location of said object on said network in order to movesaid object across said network.
 17. The object control system accordingto claim 16 , wherein said object management means correlates thelocation of said object with a web page browsed by a predetermined user,and changes said location of said object web pages are browsed by saiduser.
 18. An object control system comprising: an object stored in apredetermined server; link setting means, for setting a link in a webpage stored at a web site on said network in order to move to saidobject; and object position management means, for determining a web pagefor setting a link thereto, wherein, under the control of said objectposition management means, said link setting means changes a target webpage for setting a link thereto.
 19. The object control system accordingto claim 18 , wherein said object position management means defines aweb page browsed by a predetermined user as said target web page towhich said link with said object is to be set, and changes said targetweb page as said predetermined user browses said web pages; and whereinsaid link setting means, under the control of said object positionmanagement means, changes said link with said object.
 20. A movingobject, to be embedded in a web page stored at a web site on a network,whose location on said network is managed by specific management means,and which moves from a predetermined web page to another web page.
 21. Astorage medium on which input means of a computer stores a program in aninput-enabled form, said program permitting said computer to perform: aprocess for permitting a specific object to appear on a specific webpage stored in a specific web server; a process for, when a user browsessaid specific web page and selects said specific object, moving saidobject to another web page.
 22. A program transmission apparatuscomprising: storage means for storing a program permitting a computer toperform a process for permitting a specific object to appear on aspecific web page stored in a specific web server, a process for, when auser browses said specific web page and selects said specific object,moving said object to another web page; and transmission means forreading said program from said storage means and for transmitting saidprogram.